Former State Chief Minister Babulal Marandi was elected as BJP Legislative Party Leader on Monday. With the election of Marandi as BJP legislative party leader, who merged his 14-year-old party Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) with the BJP on February 17, he is likely to become the Leader of Opposition in House as after ruling party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), BJP is second single largest party in House. After the appointment of Marandi as BJP leader in House the strength of BJP has gone up to 26.
Marandi, was elected unanimously as the BJP legislative party leader in presence of State BJP in-charge Om Prakash Mathur, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, State BJP president Laxman Gilua and BJP national general secretary P Murlidhar Rao who was made the observer for the election process.
BJP MLA from Rajmahal Anant Ojha proposed the name of Marandi, which was seconded by Khunti MLA and former Minister Neelkanth Singh Munda, Bokaro MLA Biranchi Narayan and Jamua MLA Kedar Hazra. BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said, “The BJP lawmakers elected Marandi as party legislative leader by raising their hands and they also gave in written electing Marandi as legislative party leader.” Singh said the BJP legislators on Monday informed the Speaker about the election as Marandi as BJP legislative party leader, the BJP legislators after the election process in the evening submitted the letter to Speaker’s chamber about the appointment of Marandi as BJP legislative party leader.
After the elections, the BJP had not elected its Legislative party head as it was kept vacant for Marandi. The Assembly polls concluded in December 2019 and post of Legislative party leader remained vacant for two months. Marandi returned to the BJP after 14 years in presence of Home Minister Amit Shah on February 17. The BJP made his joining a grant event in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and a galaxy of State BJP leaders.
When Jharkhand was carved out from Bihar in 2000, Marandi became the first Chief Minister of the State, but in 2003 he had to step down due to differences with central high command over domicile issue.
In 2006, Marandi formed his own party and since then he has been trying to find a base in the State. In 2009, his party won eleven Assembly seats, which were reduced to eight in 2014. In 2019, his party managed to win only three seats.
The State BJP leaders have welcomed the election of Marandi as BJP legislative party leader. Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das congratulating the election of Marandi said, “The election of Marandi as legislative party leader is a welcome step. Marandi who is senior and experienced leader with brilliant oratory skills will raise public issue both inside the House and outside.”
Former Chief Minister and Union Tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda too welcomed Marandi election of legislative party leader. Munda who could not attend the party legislative party meet in the evening reached BJP office and wished Marandi for becoming BJP legislative party leader.